Driven wheel assembly, including hydraulic transmission means



June 3, 1952 c. s. ASH

DRIVEN WHEEL ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 1,- 1947 ATTORNEYS.,

C. S. ASH

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. C/mr/es 5. /IS/ j A Tram/Ys June 3, 1952 I DRIVEN `WHEEL ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING HYDRAULICv TRANSMISSION MEANS Filed July l. 194'? c. s. ASH 2,598,376

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June 3, 1952 DRIVEN WHEEL ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION MEANS Filed July l, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTa/PNEYS.

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vrl'tefefririg now in detail'to the 'illustrative ern' Patented June 3, 1952 muy lorrf'iz, e

HYDRAULIC TRANsMrs'sIoN' lvrnnnsl charles' s: Ash, Mil'fa; Mien. Appncii'f'inoly 1, lentseriial no;758,347` izc'liins. (oi. 1861-43) The present; invention relates to an improved hydraulically drivenrvehicle wheel structure. *l

Obiectsx and advantages of lthe inventionwill be set 'iorthin upart^herei'nafter and in part-will be' obyioiis"herefrorn-v or mayv be 'learned by practicewithathe" invention, the same being realized andiattaine'd; by' means of th'e instrumentalities andi/ combinationspointed out in the appended claims- The invention consists in thenovelparts, constructions; arrangements; combinations` and irnprovements herein shownjand described.

Y The jaccom-panyingdrawings, referred to herein `andiconstitutingapartl'xereoi; illustrate one emb odixn'entjv of' the; invention, and together with thedescription, lserve toi'explain thev principles of the'ginventi'on.

Qf; theV drawings;

-Fig1p1 A is-'za-longitudinal crosssectional view of'A a ldriven; dirigible' wheel assembly embodying the present inventionV taken along: line AI- I `of Fig.1 6;

, Fig: 2zisa1transve1se Across-sectional view taken Figlpiis-a transverse'.cross-sectional view taken alongfline3 z3 of Figil; Fig. .s iisatransverse-cross-sectienal view taken along'line'A-IlofzFig 5;

Fig.. 5;. isaulongitudinal cross-sectional view broken away for.. greater clarity-W Fig.. Gtis a lview ofthe' wheel; assembly partly Vin elevation and'partly in cross section taken other gearing meohanismsmay be omitted in the vehicle. The invention further provides a vehicle wheel assembly of the type just mentioned wherein the speedreduction gearing between the vehicle drive shaft andwheel is located at the wheel and vbetween the wheel and a runner memberk of an hydraulic power transmission,N which further permitsthe elimination of conventional. Agearing mechanism in other. parts cfm the vehicle and a more eft'ientoperation in the hydraulic power transmitter since the impellermem-ber thereof is adapted to7 operate atdriveshaftspeeds. Still another Object the inveetieeis'. thepfrision 0f a compact @retient and, nerdy Seeed. reduction ng -in a wheel assembly such as that j'ust menbodiment "of the 'invention 'shown by way of exfarnple in `the accompanying drawings; the' ve'f hicle vwheel assembly is 'shown as mounted at the end-fof a tubular vh'iclefaxle Ii) I within whiohjis mounted the 'driveshaft I I which is drivri by the vehicle power means (not shown). The'en'd of-vaxle I0`is parti-'spherically formed as'indicated at I2 Ato ericlo'se'a'ny conventionalV and suit'- ableiuniversal jointfl3, here' shown asa Marmon- Herring'ton construction, throughrwhich adirigible spindleY Itis driven from the shaft Il; An annular casting I5 is positioned to surround the portion l2 at the end of axle I0, andisl adapted to carry certainV of the braking and steering mechanism rfor the wheel assembly; as hereinafter described, as well as a` hollow spindle I6 mounted thereon by an integral ange 'portion I'I bolted to the casting as shown. Upper and lower king pin members I5 and' I9 respectively are positioned in suitable apertures in casting I5, are bolted thereto, and extend radially inwardly through the'casting to be mounted byl roller bearings 20 in suitable 'apertures in the parti-spherical end portion I2 of theaxle, whereby casting' I5 and tubular spindle I5 are' mounted for dirigible movement upon the' end of the aide' I0. e

As shown, the hydraulic driving' or drive transmission means for the' vehicle wheel is mounted adjacent the outer end of thedriven spindle I4, which is rotatably mounted within' hollow spindle IE5 by means of needle-'bearings 22. Said hydraulic' driving means cornprise an impeller member 23, having a plurality Vcfradially extending vanes 2'4, which is carried'by an' annular ba's'e Zhaving a spline'd connection on the reduced end of spindle I'4 whereby the irripeller is driven from the spindle.'v The runner member 25 withA radiallyl extending varies Z'Ifi's mounted withits open side facing and adjacent to'impeller 23, and is secured to an annular base portion 28 which has a splined connection with a sleeve member 29v which is mounted for rotation on thenhollow spindle' I6 byrneans of 'needle bearings 3B; Annular thrust 'washers 3l and 32 arel positioned between' the vsleeve 29`and the base portion ofrunner 26. The

axial thrust at the other -end of sleeve k29 takes place against a finished surface 33 of flange I1. The fluid chamber for receiving oil or other suitable fluid whereby runner 2B may be driven from the impeller 23 is completed by an annular curved cover member 35 spaced from the vcurved solid back wall of runner 2S and secured to rthe impell'er 23 for rotation' 4therewith by a plurality of bolts 36,an annular spacing ring 37 being interposed between the impeller and cover. A Ychannel is provided at the inner periphery of cover 35 by a welded Aon channel member 38 and aV sealing ringv 39 is positioned therein 'to c'iitact an external l'surface of sleevelZ'S to seal The Wheel construction for the herein disclosed embodiment of the invention includes an axially extending, cylindrical portion 40 formed integrally with a radially extending web portion 4I, the elements being parts of the same wheel casting. The wheel members as described are rotatably mounted by an anti-friction bearing 42 between the inner periphery of web poi'- tion 4I and the sleeve 29, and also by antifriction bearing 43 positioned on the outer reduced end of driven spindle I4 and rotatably supporting a, removable flange or web portion 44 which is secured at its outer periphery to the end of cylindrical wheel portion 40 by means of bolts 45. IThe wheel, bearing and hydraulic power transmission elements described are held in assembled position at the outer end of the assembly by a washer 46 and nuts 41 on the end of spindle I4. Means for conveniently filling the uid chamber described are/provided in the form of axial and radial passages 48 and 4 9 respectively in spindle I4 and establishing communication between the outer end thereof and a filling channel 56 in the base portion 25 of impeller 23. The cylindrical portion 40 of the wheel is provided at its inner end with a plurality of radially extending bosses serving as attaching members for the removable rim elements 52 and 53 adapted to removably mount Va pneumatic tire on the wheel.

Speed reduction gearing for the driven wheel assembly of the present invention is conveniently and compactly positioned within the cylindrical wheel portion 40 and axially inwardly of the hydraulic power transmission mechaf nsm. As shown, such means comprise an externally toothed Ygear portion 55 formed integrally at the inner end of sleeve 29, and meshing with the portion 56 of a compound spur .pinionY gear tit-5l,Y the portion .51 of which Vit will be appreciated that the wheel drive in the assembly of the present invention takes placev from the vehicle power means to the axle II, through universal I3 to spindle I4, from impeller 23 through the hydraulic fluid to runner 26, thence through spindle 29 to the Wheel portion 40 through the reduction gearing 55, 56-51, and 58. In such a structure the hydraulicpower transmission means serves the purpose, in a superior manner, of the conventional diierential gearing provided for driven wheel assemblies and such gearing may accordingly be omitted. Gear reduction means are provided at the individual wheel assembly so that greater efficiency is realized in the hydraulic power transmission system, the impeller thereof being normally operated at a relatively high rate of speed, and the entire driven wheel assembly is compact, sturdy, efficient and well balanced.

Braking means for the wheel assembly of the presentinvention are provided and are similar in Voperating principle to the means disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 559,504 filed October 20, 1944, now Patent No. 2,512,049. Said braking means comprise a cylindrical drum portion 65 having an integral attaching, flange 66 seated against the peripheral iiange 5I of the wheel and secured thereto by bolts 6'I. The drum attaching flange 66 extends further radially inwardly and the inner periphery thereof is channeled to receive a sealing ring 68 which engages an exterior surface of casting I5 in order to seal off the speed reduction gearing from Vthe brake mechanism.

The means for frictionally retarding rotation of drum 65 include a brake shoe I0 (Fig. 6) within the drum having an eccentric central rib 1I for uniform expansion. Adjacent ends of the shoe 'IIJ are mounted by means of links I2 and 'I3 upon an upper hanger 'I4 which is formed integrally With king pin member I8 hereinbefore described. Shoe 'I0 is further pivotally supported about two thirds of its total extent from link 'I3 by means of a link 'I5 which pivotally interconnects the rib II of the shoe and a lower hanger 'I6 which is formed integrally with the lower king pin member I9. v

The brake actuating means comprise a. shaft T'I carrying cam member 'I8 arranged to contact the brake shoe ends to expand the shoe upon rotation of the shaft by arm 'I9 from any conventional and suitable mechanism (not shown).

The shaft 'II is journalled in an enlarged upper boss portion of a ring member 8l which is bolted to casting I5. The ring carries-a sealing ring 82 to contact the partir-spherical axle' end I2 to suitably seal the universal joint and king pin mechanism, and a protection plate 83 may also be secured to casting I5 to enclose the inner end of the brake mechanism. A suitable steering arm 64 is secured to a forward portion of casting I5, and a rear portion thereof is formed with a box-like extension 85 to which may be pivotally connected a suitable tie rod 86, as shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. Sturdy and efficient internally expanding' servo braking means are thus provided in the driven dirigible wheel assembly herein. described.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specic mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom,

within the scope' of the accompanying claims,

without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably mounted wheel having a radially extending supporting element, a shaft driven from the vehicle power means, hydraulic power transmission means connected to saidrshaft, and gearing means'interconnecting said transmission means and wheel, said transmission and gearing means being positioned on opposite sides of said supporting element. V

2. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably mounted wheel having a radially extending supporting element, a shaft driven from the vehicle power means, hydraulic power transmission means connected to said shaft positioned axially outwardly of said supporting element, and speed reduction gearing interconnecting said transmission means and Wheel and positioned axially inwardly of said supporting element.

, 3. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a dirigibly and rotatably mounted wheel having a tire rim and a pair of axially spaced radially extending supporting elements, a king pin surrounded by said rim, a spindle pivoted about said king pin and driven from the vehicle power means, and hydraulic power transmission means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned between said supporting elements.

4. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably mounted Wheel having a pair of axially spaced radially extending supporting elements, a shaft driven from the vehicle power means, hydraulic power transmission means connected to said shaft and positioned between said supporting elements, and speed reduction gearing interconnecting said transmission means and wheel and positioned axially inwardly of the axially inner of said supporting elements.

5. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably and dirigibly mounted wheel having a tire rim and a radially extending supporting element, a king pin surrounded by said rim, a spindle pivoted about said king pin and driven from the vehicle power means, hydraulic power transmission means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned axially outwardly of said supporting element, braking means for said wheel surrounding said king pin and positioned axially inwardly of said supporting element and gearing means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned axially inwardly of said supporting element.

6. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising in combination, a rotatably mounted Wheel having a radially extending supporting element, a shaft driven from the Vehicle power means, hydraulic power transmission means connected to said shaft positioned axially outwardly of said supporting element, speed reduction gearing interconnecting said transmission means and wheel and positioned axially inwardly of said supporting element and braking means for said wheel positioned axially inwardly of said speed reduction gearing.

7. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a dirigibly and rotatably mounted wheel having a tire rim and a pair of axially spaced radially extending supporting elements, a king pin surrounded by said rim, a spindle pivoted about said king pin and driven from the vehicle power means, hydraulic power transmission means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned between said supporting elements and braking means for said wheel surrounding said king pin and positioned axially inwardly of the axially inner of said supporting elements.

8. A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably mounted wheel having a pair of axially spaced radially extending supporting elements, a shaft driven from the vehicle power means, hydraulic power transmission means connected to said shaft and positioned between said supporting elements, speed reduction gearing interconnecting said transmission means and wheel and positioned axially inwardly of theaxially inner of said supporting elements and braking means for said wheel positioned axially inwardly of said transmission means.

9. A driven dirigible wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably and dirigibly mounted wheel having a radially extending supporting element, a pivotally mounted spindle, hydraulic power transmission means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned axially outwardly of said supporting element, a universal joint interconnecting said spindle and the vehicle power means and positioned axially inwardly of said supporting element, and gearing means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned between said supporting element and universal joint.

10. A driven dirigible wheel assemblyfor an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably and dirigibly mounted wheel having a radially extending supporting element, a pivotally mounted spindle, hydraulic power transmission means connected to said spindle and positioned axially outwardly of said supporting element, speed reduction gearing interconnecting said transmission means and wheel and positioned axially inwardly of said supporting element, and a universal joint interconnecting said spindle and the vehicle power means and positioned axially inwardly of said reduction gearing.

11. A driven dirigible wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a rotatably and dirigibly mounted wheel having a radially extending supporting element, a pivotally mounted spindle, hydraulic power transmission means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned axially outwardly of said supporting element, a universal joint interconnecting said spindle and the vehicle power means and positioned axially inwardly of said supporting element, braking means for said wheel including brake drum and shoe members encircling said universal joint, and gearing means interconnecting said spindle and wheel and positioned between said supporting element and universal joint.

12. A driven wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, a hollow spindle, a driven spindle in said hollow spindle driven by the vehicle power means, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said hollow spindle, hydraulic power transmission means having an impeller element connected to said driven spindle and a runner element connected to said sleeve, a wheel having a pair of radially extending supporting elements rotatably mounted on said driven spindle and sleeve respectively and positioned at either side axially of said power transmission means, and speed reduction gearing interconnecting said sleeve and wheel.

CHARLES S. ASH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,349,249 Alden Aug. 10, 1920 1,797,578 Hoffman Mar. 24, 1931 1,919,925 Blakeslee July 25, 1933 2,075,563 Alden Mar. 30, 1937 2,221,705 Glynn, Jr. Nov. 12, 1940 2,281,541 Ash May 5, 1942 2,287,498 Scoeld June 23, 1942 2,294,994 Maze Sept. 8, 1942 2,310,513 Burns Feb. 9, 1943 2,335,544 Schnetzer Nov. 30, 1943 2,409,196 Cunningham Oct. 15, 1946- FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 479,722 France May 3, 1916 

